2.0 CDTI engine: faults and reliability

• 2.0 CDTI 110-131 hp (A20DTH/A20DTJ, 2008-2015)

  2008–2015 · 110–131 hp · A20DTH, A20DTJ

  With caution

  It shares with the rest of the A20DTH/A20DTJ/B20DTH family the belt-driven timing and the pattern of soot in the injectors and EGR valve described in this engine's faults.^[2][8]

• 2.0 CDTI 160-170 hp (A20DTH/A20DTJ/B20DTH, 2008-2019)

  2008–2019 · 160–170 hp · A20DTH, A20DTJ, B20DTH

  With caution

  This is the version in the documented case of engine failure in an Insignia (2.0 Diesel 170 hp) at 145,000 km and in the case of a faulty turbo in another Insignia of unspecified output.^[3][4]

• 2.0 BiTurbo CDTI 195 hp (A20DTR, 2011-2015)

  2011–2015 · 195 hp · A20DTR

  With caution

  It shares its block and belt-driven timing with the rest of the family, with no data that exempt it from the risks documented on this engine.^[2]

• 2.0 CDTI BiTurbo 210 hp 4x4 (Insignia B, 2017-2022)

  2017–2022 · 210 hp

  With caution

  With no data of its own to set it apart from the rest of the family, we treat it with the same caution as the other versions of this engine.^[7]

Buy: No known serious faults, or they have already been corrected, in this version. With caution: Worth buying if something specific is verified: history, a replaced part or a completed campaign. Avoid: High risk of a serious fault that is hard to check for or prevent.

1. 1High severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalTurboTurbocharger wear or failureA case of a faulty turbo has been documented in the Opel Insignia 2.0 CDTI between 60,000 and 62,000 km, within a sample of more than 200 reports for the model; there is no manufacturer campaign or fleet-wide figures.
2. 2Medium severityCommonFrequency: CommonInjectionSoot build-up in the injectors and EGR valveLike many diesels of its generation, the 2.0 CDTI builds up soot in the injectors and the EGR valve, especially on short journeys and in town. An injector replacement has been documented in an Insignia from 105,000 km, and faulty injectors are also cited in an Astra J.
3. 3Medium severityCommonFrequency: CommonEmissions controlClogged particulate filter (DPF) and oil dilution on short journeysThe 2.0 CDTI's particulate filter clogs easily in urban use and on short journeys: an Insignia owner describes it as «always dirty, with the engine going into limp mode», and in an Astra J there are symptoms of oil dilution by fuel during failed regenerations.
4. 4Medium severityCommonFrequency: CommonEmissions controlGerman investigation into possible switching-off of the emissions treatmentBetween 2016 and 2018, Germany's KBA and the Frankfurt public prosecutor investigated whether Opel was switching off the emissions treatment on the Euro 6 diesels of the Cascada, Insignia and Zafira -models that also use this 2.0 CDTI-. Opel denied it; no final penalty or executed corrective campaign is on record.
5. 5Critical severityRareFrequency: RareTimingTiming belt risk (unlike the other Opel diesels of the era)Unlike the 1.3 and 1.6 CDTI of the same period, which have a chain, the 2.0 CDTI (A20DTH/A20DTJ/B20DTH) uses a toothed timing belt. There is no published official interval or failure statistics, but if it is neglected it can end in engine failure like the one documented in an Insignia at 145,000 km.

Severity colours: low, medium, high, critical. How we rate them

Manufacturer

General Motors

Fuel

Diesel

Displacement

1,956 cm³

Cylinders

4

Fuel system

Turbo

Injection

Common rail

Timing

Timing belt (dry)

Power

110–210 hp

Peak torque

400 Nm

Production

2008–2019

Makes

Opel and Vauxhall

Technical data^[1][7]

1. 2008–2015

   2.0 CDTI 110-131 hp (A20DTH/A20DTJ, 2008-2015)

   Entry-level step in the range: it powered the Insignia A from its launch in 2008 (110 hp) and, after the 2013 facelift, also with 120-130 hp, as well as the Zafira Tourer with 130 hp from 2011.^[1][10]

2. 2008–2019

   2.0 CDTI 160-170 hp (A20DTH/A20DTJ/B20DTH, 2008-2019)

   The most widespread single-turbo version: it powered the Insignia A and B, the Astra J, the Zafira Tourer and the Cascada, with the output labelled slightly differently depending on the model and market (160, 163, 165 or 170 hp).^{[1][7][9][10][11]}

3. 2011–2015

   2.0 BiTurbo CDTI 195 hp (A20DTR, 2011-2015)

   Top-of-the-range twin-turbo version, with two turbos of different sizes working in sequence; it powered the Insignia A, the Astra J and the Cascada.^[1][9][11]

4. 2017–2022

   2.0 CDTI BiTurbo 210 hp 4x4 (Insignia B, 2017-2022)

   Top-of-the-range version of the Insignia B with 4x4 all-wheel drive; we have not been able to confirm the exact engine code of this variant in the sources consulted.^[7]